Oldham School To Close? Budget Commission Wants To...

"It wasn't until this past September - after being here as your interim Superintendent for one month - that I learned there is not enough money to operate all schools come next year," said an exasperated looking John DeGoes. DeGoes is a former Superintendent of Schools in East Providence who was brought back to stabilize the local schools until a new permanent Superintendent is hired. "Because of the financial condition of the city, I have been instructed to close a school. The budget commission and the RI Department of Education (RIDE) do not think our student census warrants the number of school buildings East Providence has," DeGoes said. Oldham School has about 178 pupils after once having a few hundred more. DeGoes disclosed that he attended a meeting at RIDE at which time he was told that the state does not want some $2 million plus in bond money spent to repair the old school on Bullocks Point Avenue. "I looked into several other options, I don't enjoy closing a school, but closing Oldham is our only move - if we have to close a school," he said. "There is a large cost savings, it is the least disruptive, all Oldham kids will remain together, there will be no added bus costs and Meadowcrest (pre-school) will benefit (new kindergarteners would be sent to Meadowcrest)," DeGoes said as he tried to convince the school committee to support his recommendation. It didn't seem to ring well with most on the committee.

It was downhill most of the night from that point for the Interim Superintendent (School Committee meeting of January 10th). First of all the city hall microphones didn't work and it was difficult to hear committee members speak. The only microphone working was the one at the podium where the public speaks so while questioners could be heard loudly the rather small crowd in attendance had to strain to hear committee members respond. DeGoes went on to explain that the entire Oldham School population could fit inside the Waddington School on Legion Way in Riverside. "I don't think Oldham teachers will lose their jobs because of this move," said DeGoes in response to a parent's concern. School Committee ward 4 member Tim Conley wasted no time in dismissing the DeGoes recommendation. "I couldn't disagree more with you. There is no way I can support this. Oldham is the best performing school in the city and you want to close it," said Conley in reference to the school's RIDE classification as a "high performing school. "This is a violation of state Title 16 regulations which strictly gives the school committee - not the budget commission - the authority to close a school," said a clearly upset Conley. Conley's district includes both Oldham and Waddington school buildings. "Oldham has too many repair items and other issues to warrant keeping it open. We can save over $2 million in bond money that can be used in other schools," said DeGoes. Oldham is slated to receive slightly over $2 million in voter approved bond money to upgrade and repair Oldham's aging plant. "Is Oldham open now? Is it safe? Why are kids there now, if it's unsafe?" asked Conley. And adding more fuel to his fire, Conley added that "I only received this information at 4:45 PM yesterday. (We) have not been party to this.

The Interim Superintendent did meet with some staff weeks before preparing his recommendation. The group included DeGoes, a couple of school principals and several central administrators. They discussed the closing of either Oldham or Whiteknact school on Grosvenor avenue. The group also looked into reconfiguring the city's' two middle schools which would have housed all 5th and 6th graders at Riverside Middle while placing all 7th and 8th graders at Martin Middle. They also considered placing all fifth grade students into the middle schools. While these and other proposals have been investigated (some have also advocated for having only one middle school in the city), "closing Oldham is the best move and really our only move," continued DeGoes.

Facilities coordinator, Edward Catelli told the committee that "one problem is a fire code issue. Every school has to be updated except Kent Heights. All doors and windows need replacing. We have spent about $6.2 million dollars in bond money so far. We are getting ready for the next phase of spending some $5.6 million. The state department of health wants to close our high school without asbestos abatement," continued Catelli. "We can move some bond money around. There is no way to totally lock down Oldham or Waddington (code red) because of the open classroom configuration," added Catelli.

Board chairman Monteiro asked DeGoes how Waddington would handle the influx of added students and staff. "We can address that through scheduling," responded DeGoes. "Waddington used to house some 600 students. They have a talented principal (Patricia Barlow) who can handle scheduling," he added. "Well, I want answers now. I want parents to be able to plan their lives going forward," said ward 2 committee member Tony Ferreira. "What about future growth in our city?"

Parent, Sheila Duckworth from Riverside asked the committee to consider that "... these decisions effect families. My children walk now where there are no sidewalks. I have babysitting issues which I can't afford. We don't get a bus because you measure transportation distance 'as the crow flies', but children don't fly like crows," Duckworth said.

Throughout the meeting, a visibly upset Tim Conley interjected comments. "The logistics of this plan are dysfunctional, there was no public input. Our kids are at risk," he added. "Tim (Conley), you are spot on," said ward 4 city council member and former school board member Chrissy Rossi. "We are losing our rights on a daily basis because of this budget commission," said an upset Rossi. Both DeGoes and Monteiro indicated that they have been instructed by the budget commission to close a school and the commission believes that the school is Oldham.

The department of education - along with the budget commission - were the objects of concern from Oldham supporters. "Just who at RIDE said we shouldn't spend taxpayer voted bond money for Oldham?" asked Rossi. Conley also wanted more verification of this and the committee approved his suggestion to directly send a letter to state Commissioner Deborah Gist, asking for clarification. The committee also instructed their attorney, Robert Silva, to issue a legal opinion on school committee versus budget commission jurisdiction in closing a school building. "We have only one leading performing school and we want to close it. This city has been systematically redistricting Oldham students away from Oldham to other schools to make it small," said Conley. "It's the best kept secret in our school system," he added. At that point in the meeting, the usually calm DeGoes raised his voice a bit. "I reject that we're making a move based on hurting a school. I would never be part of that. All of our schools are great. I would send my children to any one of them. The impression is wrong that only one school is high performing. Some schools have different rankings because of a small number of factors," he continued. "I've been charged with closing a school. Say what you want, (Oldham) won't open (in September) because of safety. Officials won't allow it. There isn't enough money to address all safety issues. I defy anyone to show (differently)," DeGoes said. "I agree but disagree with the school you picked (to close)," answered Tim Conley.

However as the meeting progressed it seemed that the odds would be against keeping Oldham open. Repeated references were made that the budget commission wants Oldham closed and they have the final word. It was also pointed out that if Whiteknact school were to close, the city would have to return some 40% of already expended bond money at that school - a sobering prospect to the committee and audience.

Parent Chrissy Corbitt continued to echo a popular sentiment when she asked, "why would families want to move here when we become the city known for closing down its' best school?"

DeGoes did receive some accolades from the teachers' union president, Val Lawson. "Dr. DeGoes has been very professional and honest with us. Although teachers were not involved in this process and we support the neighborhood school concept, we would like to keep Oldham open. But we know the Superintendent is constrained by laws and contracts. I agree strongly with the superintendent's claim about the quality of all schools," Lawson said.

One other concern of many is the Title I status of Oldham school due to its' demographics. "Yes, Oldham receives technology and supplies that Waddington may not receive because of Title I requirements," acknowledged DeGoes.

Arguably the most concise and compelling summary of the night may have been expressed by Silver Spring school teacher, Mary Texeira. Texeira has been a frequent speaker at public meetings through the years. Texeira listed an eloquent list of reasons for the financial straits of the city schools. "Our schools have been hit hard. Everything from salaries of teachers (East Providence teachers are the lowest paid in RI) to lack of textbooks and technologies to school sports. Who else in the city has suffered as much? The police, the fire? This city has not demonstrated a commitment to education at a level needed to improve the quality of our city. In the past we couldn't speak at meetings without being condemned or shut out from giving an opinion. Dr. DeGoes is a professional and I respect him very much. One thing to the Oldham folks - if a school has to close, at least it is good to move them all together to one place. The social community will stay in place for the students and staff. But I don't like to see a school close," she added. "Good people only want to move to a community that supports education."

In the end, no vote was taken on the closing of Oldham. Instead a public hearing will be scheduled at Riverside Middle School for further public comment. Based on the small turnout at this meeting, Oldham supporters will need to organize a larger response - or not.